This weekend is the majority of conference meets throughout the NCAA. With many throwers trying to qualify for indoor nationals this weekend is one of their last chances to do so. With so much on the line you can expect to see some big throws. Going through a majority of the conference will be CollegeHammer’s predictions of the top 3 in both the men and women.

ACC

Men- Virginia Tech has been dominating the weight throw for several years now in the ACC along with the NCAA. Expect a 1-2-3 finish for them and 24 points for Virginia Tech.

Prediction:

1)    Alexander Zeigler. Virginia Tech.

2)    Tomas Kruzliak. Virginia Tech

3)    Denis Mahmic. Virginia Tech

Women- The biggest battle in the women’s weight will be for second and third as Celmson’s Brittney Waller is over 2.5m ahead of her closest challenger. The second to fifth ranked throwers in the ACC are all clipping at each other’s heels so expect a close event.

Predictions:

1)    Brittney Waller. Clemson

2)    Nicole Chavis. North Carolina State.

3)    Briana Cherry-Bronson. Florida State

Big 12

Men- The Big12 hasn’t been strong in the weight this year compared to the shot. This leaves the door open for Oklahoma State’s Nick Miller. He is well ahead of the field and should easily win. But Texas has the most depth in the weight and if their 3 throwers score it will really help their chances of winning a team title.

Predictions:

1)    Nick Miller. Oklahoma State

2)    Clint Harris. Texas

3)    Hayden Baillio. Texas

Women- On the women’s side Alena Krechyk of Kansas has had the biggest throw this year with 21.76m (71’4.75”) and a win for her will really help a strong Kansas squad with their chances of a team title. But Erin Atkinson of Baylor and Laishema Hampton of Iowa State have both had strong seasons and will be looking for the upset.

Prediction:

1)    Alena Krechyk. Kansas

2)    Erin Atkinson. Baylor

3)    Laishema Hampton. Iowa State

BigTen

Men- The BigTen has been hands down the deepest conference for big throws in the weight. With 8 throwers over 20m and 5 of them over 21m and several more just outside the 20m mark this will be the best competition other than indoor nationals. With everyone so close it’s all going to come down to who is on this weekend and who can handle the pressure.

Predictions:

1)    Antonio James. Michigan State

2)    Micah Hegerle. Minnesota

3)    Jon Lehman. Minnesota

Women- The women’s side has been similar to the men. With 3 women over 21m separated by less than 50cm. But with the depth of this field anyone who makes the finals can easily make this an interesting event.

Prediction:

1)    Beth Rohl. Michigan State

2)    Taylor Smith. Wisconsin

3)    Dani Bunch. Purdue.

Missouri Valley

Men- This conference has been a sleeper conference in the throws. With the nation’s best mark coming from Brandon Pounds of Indiana State and the deep field of throwers from Southern Illinois and Northern Iowa this will be an interesting competition.

Prediction:

1)    Brandon Pounds. Indiana State

2)    Bradley Sauer. Southern Illinois

3)    Isaac Twombly. Drake

Women- Similar to the men’s side the nation’s top mark is in the Missouri Valley and from Indiana State as well. Felisha Johnson has a good grasp on the lead with a top throw of 23.06m (75’8”) but Brittany Smith of Illinois State isn’t too far behind with a mark of 21.51m (70’7”). It should be a battle between Johnson and Smith to see who takes the win.

Prediction:

1)    Felisha Johnson. Indiana State

2)    Brittany Smith. Illinois State

3)    Kim Fortney. Southern Illinois

SEC

Men- The SEC is very tight the top 5 throwers are all separated by less than a meter making this anyone’s win. Jeremy Postin and David Triassi from Florida are sitting one and two and come with the most experience which could easily give them the edge this weekend. But that’s not a guarantee since the field is so tight.

Prediction:

1)    Jeremy Postin. Florida

2)    David Triassi. Florida

3)    Elias Hakansson. Alabama

Women- This field is much deeper than the men’s but has a clear leader with Denise Hinton from LSU. Her throw of 21.57m (70’9.25”) gives her the title of favorite this weekend. But with a field this tight and deep it could be very close and entertaining.

Prediction:

1)    Denise Hinton. LSU

2)    Jayla Bostic. Florida

3)    Jazmin Miller. Mississippi